9a. Any thickening agent used in soups, sauces etc l-a--o- 7 letters 14d. Financial backer,eg of a theatrical venture -n--- 5 letters 20d. In mathematics, an alternative name for an exponent 1--e- 5...
17a. A large-calibre firearm used by cavalry soldiers in the 16th and early 17th centuries 8 letters: p-t-o-e- Last clue to finish and I thought it was pistolet until I completed 2 down. Bit stumped...
24a. Dealer in textiles, especially good-quality ones 6 letters me---r 15d. Book of information published annually 7 letters -l--n-- 17d. Illness, especially a mild or persistent one 7 letters a-l--n-
15a. A greenhouse or indoor plant such as the winter cherry. s----u- 2d. The fourth____,name given to the press, or journalism. e----e 11d. A small flavoured sweet or lozenge for chewing -ys--l-e